The Darkness Within

Hidden Secrets

Sometimes, it's not what we can see that we fear, but what lurks just outside of our range of sight...

《{◇◇◇◇}》

"Skylar!!" a tall, hefty man shouts. He places his hands on his hips that wear denim shorts. Two long, powerful legs protrude from each opening.

"Coming dad!!" a young girl around the age of 19 says, racing through a living room. In her hand is a half opened suitcase with clothes spilling over. Her boots thud as she runs to the man outside.

"We gotta get on the road now if we wanna get there on time," the man says taking her bag.

"I know, I'm sorry. I was making sure I had grabbed everything." The man nods and closes the suitcase and tosses it into an opened trunk.

Both circle to the front of the car and get inside. As Skylar's father starts the engine, she pulls out her phone and earbuds. "I hope you have a charger for that," he says, pulling out the driveway.

"Dont worry. Now, where are we going again?" she asks, plugging in the earbuds.

"Grand Rapids, Michigan. Why?"

"So I know where exactly I'm gonna die." The man glances at her sternly.

"How many times have I told you? You're not gonna die," he says. She rolls her eyes and puts in the earbuds, a familiar melody playing in her ears.

Not long after, Skylar falls asleep, her head leaning on the window..

《{◇◇◇◇}》

She opens her eyes as her father shakes her shoulder. "Wakey wakey sleepyhead. We're here," he says.

"Already?" Skylar unbuckles her seatbelt and climbs out the car.

Her dad nods and she looks at the hotel. 'This is a vacation away from home. Some us time...'

"Yeah, I'm so in a horror movie," she mumbles, grabbing her suitcase.

Walking in, a cold wind hits her, making her stomach twist and turn. The clerk looks at her as her father checks in, smiling eerily.

"Enjoy your stay," they croak. Their voice sounds hoarse, as if not used for a long time.

They walks to a room that reads, 665. "You know someone probably died here?" she breathes. He waves his arm at her and keeps walking.

"Not ominous at all," she whispers to herself, staring at the brass numbers.

"This is nice," her father beams, smiling at his daughter. She nods and unpacks her pajamas.

"If you say so. I feel icky being here, so Imma grab a quick bath." He nods and shoos her off.

《{◇◇◇◇}》

20 minutes later, she opens the bathroom door to find her father sleeping soundly on a bed. A chilly breeze blows from the an open door.

"Seriously?!" After she closes it, the room falls to darkness, encasing her in its nothingness. She starts feeling around for something, anything. A hand grabs her and she screams.

"The blackness consumes us all," a voice croaks. The hand pulls her further into the dark. "It wants you next."

Her screams echoing in the vastness of the inky black.